WA Mums Cottage reopens after relaxation of coronavirus laws

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WA MUMS Cottage (WAMC) is set to reopen after receiving a series of donations.

The Cottage was forced to close, like many community organisations, when volunteers went into isolation.

It did continue to operate while closed with client contact coming via social media; however, the biggest issue was food supplies as shelves were emptied in stores and emergency relief organisations were not able to obtain supplies.

However, thanks to donations from Second Bite, Foodbank and the City of Mandurah, food is now available for emergency relief.

As of Monday, May 11, its doors are once again open to assist women and children in crisis who experience distress or family violence.

The Cottage will be open daily from 10am to 2pm with coronavirus regulations in place.

Lotterywest has also given the Cottage funding for further emergency relief.

Cottage chairwoman Kaye Seeber said she was glad to be able to start helping people again.

“Now that there is some alleviation of the spread of COVID-19 it is time for WA Mums Cottage to reopen its doors to families in crisis,” she said.

“It is the vision of WAMC that all women and children live in safe, supportive and nurturing communities.”

With many families stuck at home, many unforeseen pressures have been piling on and exacerbating existing problems.

Sargent Paul Trimble of the Mandurah Police Family Violence Team said increased pressure could lead to a higher risk of family violence and that was why the reopening of services such as the WA Mums Cottage was important.

“Any service or support agency that supports victims and the community affected by family violence will definitely help because the community relies on the volunteer services when trying to combat it,” he said.

Sargent Trimble also wanted to encourage family and friends to check in and look out for each other.

Ms Seeber said finding funding was the key to staying open and hoped people would continue to be generous.

“The other difficulty was we couldn’t fundraise because we don’t receive funding from government,” she said.

“The Mums Cottage is totally supported by donations from the community and fundraising done by volunteers.”

Throughout the pandemic, it has been selling surplus supplies through its Op Eshop to maintain its ability to provide support.

Some volunteers will remain in isolation, meaning the Cottage needs more volunteers for three-hour shifts in the morning or afternoon.